Озма з країни Оз
20. The Emerald City
Thateveningtherewasagrandreceptionintheroyalpalace,attendedbythemostimportantpersonsofOz,andJackPumpkinhead,whowasalittleoverripebutstillactive,readanaddresscongratulatingOzmaofOzuponthesuccessofhergenerousmissiontorescuetheroyalfamilyofaneighboringkingdom.
Thenmagnificentgoldmedalssetwithpreciousstoneswerepresentedtoeachofthetwenty-sixofficers;andtheTinWoodmanwasgivenanewaxestuddedwithdiamonds;andtheScarecrowreceivedasilverjarofcomplexionpowder.DorothywaspresentedwithaprettycoronetandmadeaPrincessofOz,andTiktokreceivedtwobraceletssetwitheightrowsofveryclearandsparklingemeralds.
Afterwardtheysatdowntoasplendidfeast,andOzmaputDorothyatherrightandBillinaatherleft,wherethehensatuponagoldenroostandatefromajeweledplatter.ThenwereplacedtheScarecrow,theTinWoodmanandTiktok,withbasketsoflovelyflowersbeforethem,becausetheydidnotrequirefood.Thetwenty-sixofficerswereatthelowerendofthetable,andtheLionandtheTigeralsohadseats,andwereservedongoldenplatters,thatheldahalfabushelatonetime.
ThewealthiestandmostimportantcitizensoftheEmeraldCitywereproudtowaituponthesefamousadventurers,andtheywereassistedbyasprightlylittlemaidnamedJelliaJamb,whomtheScarecrowpincheduponherrosycheeksandseemedtoknowverywell.
DuringthefeastOzmagrewthoughtful,andsuddenlysheasked:
"Whereistheprivate?"
"Oh,heissweepingoutthebarracks,"repliedoneofthegenerals,whowasbusyeatingalegofaturkey